Day 29, May 22, 2011, Dunkirk, NY to Batavia, NY

84 miles and 800 feet of climbing.  Another day bites the dust.  Four more and we are done!  It was another good day out here on the roads crossing this incredible country.  Weather was overcast, 70 degrees, high humidity and an occasional very brief drizzle.  Roads were good, with little traffic.  After leaving the shores of Lake Erie, we skirted south of Buffalo and went through numerous small towns and farming operations.  I spent some time thinking about the contrasts I have witnessed between this part of the country and out west.  Here, water is abundant, ponds are everywhere, the rivers/cricks are flowing swiftly and it rains.  Out West it was parched.  Here everything is a lush green, spring flowers are blooming, the green houses/plant farms are doing a brisk business and people are out working in their yards and gardens.  Out West it is brown and dusty.  Here, people are everywhere.  Out West you can travels for hours and see little evidence of any human habitation.  It is a diverse country we live in!

At one point today I stopped alongside the road to take a break.  I was near and downwind from, a large cluster of Lilac bushes.  Boy did they smell good.  I sure hope my Lilacs are still in bloom when I get home.  Nothing means spring time more than the smell of Lilacs.  I am truly getting anxious to be home again.  I talked with Jack this morning on the phone.  I was telling him I could not wait to get home and that I was really missing him and Leisa.  I even stretched the truth a tad and told him that I was even missing our dog, Gage.  Without missing a beat Jack says, “Well he missed you at first but he got over that real quick.”  I can tell I have my work cut out for me as it appears as if Leisa is being a bad influence on that boy!

The highlight of my day was Espresso.  I have not had any of my favorite brew since I left home nearly 5 weeks ago.  I try to drink that swill they call coffee in the motels but it is all I can do to choke down half a cup.  As I was passing through a small town I noticed a coffee shop saying they specialized in “distinctive coffees.”  I brought my bike to a screeching halt, dismounted and headed in.  To the young lady behind the counter I said, “You can get me a quadruple espresso.”  She looked confused and I asked if there was a problem.  She said, “Well, I have never met anyone who wanted a quadruple espresso.”  I stuck out my hand and said, “Hello, I am Jay Clydesdale Crane.  I am pedaling my bike across this great country of ours to eliminate evil.  Now will you please get me my espresso?”  She saw the desperation in my eyes and quickly complied.  It was without a doubt one of the best cups of coffee I have ever had and I savored every sip.  I was so fired up when I got back on the bike, that within 2 miles I had a flat tire from pedaling too fast.

Tomorrow we press on to Liverpool, NY.  The excitement level of the entire group is beginning to increase as we approach the end of this ordeal.

Ahhhh....Life is Good.  Very, Very Good!!